# Is "A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver" by E.L. Konigsburg a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver by E.L. Konigsburg (Atheneum, 1973) is identified by: Atheneum, New York, 1973, a historical novel of Eleanor of Aquitaine. US Atheneum edition is the true first (1973), identified by the stated 'First Edition' line on the copyright page.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Atheneum, New York, 1973, a historical novel of Eleanor of Aquitaine
- Consistent with Atheneum's practice through the 1980s, the first edition states 'First Edition' on the copyright page (no number line was used on Atheneum trade titles this early), and the first-issue dust jacket carries its original printed price on the front flap
- Publisher imprint reads Atheneum
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | E.L. Konigsburg |
| Publisher | Atheneum |
| Year | 1973 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Children's / illustrated |
| Key point | Atheneum, New York, 1973, a historical novel of Eleanor of Aquitaine |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Atheneum, New York, 1973, a historical novel of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Consistent with Atheneum's practice through the 1980s, the first edition states 'First Edition' on the copyright page (no number line was used on Atheneum trade titles this early), and the first-issue dust jacket carries its original printed price on the front flap.

## Is this the true first?
US Atheneum edition is the true first (1973), identified by the stated 'First Edition' line on the copyright page.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club printings lack the dust-jacket price and omit the 'First Edition' statement; club copies are also typically on lighter bulk with a blind-stamp to the rear board.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver* by E.L. Konigsburg a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/a-proud-taste-for-scarlet-and-miniver
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.